This week-long lesson plan focuses on introducing first graders to both two- and three-dimensional shapes, teaching them to compose new shapes, and understand part-whole relationships involving halves and fourths. Each session builds upon the last, ensuring students gain a comprehensive understanding of shapes and their attributes aligned with the educational standards.
This lesson introduces students to basic two-dimensional shapes like rectangles, squares, triangles, and circles. Students explore the defining attributes of each shape through hands-on activities and a group discussion, helping them distinguish between different shapes and understand their properties.
Lesson 2: Identifying and Comparing Three-Dimensional Shapes
Overview
In this lesson, first-grade students will explore the world of three-dimensional shapes. They will learn to identify cubes, cones, cylinders, and prisms, and understand their defining and non-defining attributes. Through hands-on activities and interactive discussions, students will compare these shapes and discuss their unique characteristics, such as the number of faces and edges.
Lesson 3: Composing Shapes with Two-Dimensional Forms
Overview
This lesson will introduce students to the concept of creating composite shapes using basic two-dimensional shapes. Students will explore how different shapes can be combined to form a larger shape and understand the relationships between the individual shapes that make up the composite.
Lesson 4: Creating New Composite Shapes
Overview
This lesson focuses on engaging first-grade students in hands-on activities that allow them to explore how basic and composite shapes can be combined to form new shapes. Through this process, students will learn to identify attributes of different shapes and understand how these attributes align and differ when shapes are combined.
Lesson 5: Understanding Halves and Fourths
Overview
This lesson aims to introduce students to the concept of partitioning shapes into equal shares, focusing on halves and fourths. Through visual aids and hands-on activities, students will learn to describe these partitions using specific terminology.
Lesson 6: Exploring Whole and Parts
Overview
In this 20-minute lesson, students will learn to recognize and describe how a whole is composed of equal parts, focusing specifically on dividing a whole into two or four equal sections. This foundational concept will help students understand basic fractions and prepare them for future mathematical learning.
Lesson 7: Review and Shape Construction Activity
Overview
In this engaging 20-minute lesson, first-grade students will delve into the hands-on application of building and drawing shapes using both tangible items and sketches. This approach aims to enhance their understanding of the characteristics and differences between two- and three-dimensional shapes while encouraging creativity and exploration.
